A CEREMONY to remember soldiers who died in both World Wars has been cancelled after vandals destroyed a week-old memorial statue.

The monument, at Polyapes Scout Camp in Stoke D’Abernon, was built to replace a bronze sculpture which was stolen in 2007, just after centenary celebrations for the scouting movement.

But just a few weeks before a rededication service was due for the resin replacement, vandals broke into the site in Blundel Lane and snapped the legs off the stone base.

The statue was of Philip Radford, a member of the 1st Molesey Scout Group, who died in the First World War at the age of 19. The names of every scout who died in both World Wars are carved on the granite plinth underneath.

Wendy Sutton, a member of the camp service team, said: “I think it’s just awful – it’s a really dreadful thing to do. If I saw the vandals who did this I don’t know what I’d say to them.

“The statue had only just been completely finished. We were going to have a special dedication service on August 23 with tea and cakes.

“The mayor was meant to be coming and we had invited the neighbours.

Mrs Sutton, whose husband Roy is the club warden, added that the statue was extremely important to Polyapes as it was one of the only camping grounds that boasts a war memorial.

Before the original statue was stolen two years ago the club used to hold Remembrance Day services around it.

Last year Polyapes had to make do with a simple wooden cross and, unless the sculptor who cast the resin replacement is able to repair the damage, the club will have to do the same again this November.

Surrey Police is appealing for information about the criminal damage, which is being linked to a burglary that happened at the camp between between 4pm on Thursday, July 16 and 1pm on Friday, July 17.

The culprits smashed a window to gain entry to an unoccupied building before stealing a DVD player valued at around £50.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any further information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference EL/09/5855.